THE lead singer of a much-loved band has described watching back the scenes of his cancer battle shown on the Welcome to Wrexham series as being 'quite emotional'.
The popular Disney Plus series, released two episodes at a time every Thursday, follows the takeover of Wrexham AFC by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
However, it also shines a spotlight on the die-hard Wrexham fans living in the local community.
One of those featured is Michael Hett, who fronts the Declan Swans.
Episode five of Welcome to Wrexham begins with the three-piece band, who have been together for over 20 years, rehearsing their 'Always Sunny In Wrexham' hit - which is currently being sold on vinyl due to its popularity.
But things takes a much sadder turn when it later turns its attention to singer Michael's cancer battle.
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Known as 'Scoot', he opens up on going through chemotherapy after a tumour was discovered on his colon.
In a scene filmed in his home along with wife Wendy, he tells her, while drawing up a bucket list, that 'seeing Wrexham get promoted back to the football league' is at the top of that list.
And later, while talking about what thoughts have been running through his head during chemo, Michael says he thought: "I can't go yet, I've gotta see Wrexham get promoted."
Michael has since told us that he has now had the chance to watch that open and honest episode back.
Speaking to the Leader, he said: "I watched it with my wife and my dad and, yeah, it was quite emotional really, particularly for my dad who got quite upset as there was pictures of my mum and stuff on there.
"But, the reason I wanted to do it in the first place was to show how important it is, even if it means just one person going for a check up after watching it.
"I left it too late really before going to the hospital, I was losing weight and I was going grey. My cancer was caught just in time and I had my emergency operations done."
PIC: Much-loved Wrexham band Declan Swans.
Michael says he underwent chemotherapy between August and November of last year.
He also revealed that his wife, Wendy - who also appears in the documentary - had also previously had a cancer battle (breast) of her own.
He added: "She has been so supportive and helpful. She previously went through radiotherapy herself and so a lot of the questions I had, she was able to answer.
"When I was in hospital, Covid was still a big thing so you couldn't have any visitors. She (Wendy) really kept me going through the dark times."
Michael, who works as a residential childcare worker in his day job, says that appearing on the show has also boosted Declan Swans' sales of their 'Always Sunny in Wrexham' vinyl 'massively'.
He said: "It's all been great and it's still such a funny feeling hearing people sing our song. We have even managed to get ourselves a manager through all of this. It's been amazing."
Talking about Wrexham AFC and what it means to him, he said: "When I first left school, I went to every home and away game, I still go to most home games now. It means everything.
"Obviously, the lowest ever point was getting relegated from the football league and heartbreak is something we've been used to over the years now. But everything they (Rob and Ryan) are doing is great, they're so enthusiastic and it's (promotion) got to happen soon hasn't it?
"It's not just about the club either, it's about what they're doing for the Welsh language, like in that last episode."
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